Dr. Chrys Sweeting, Superintendant,  and Brian Lewis, Executive Director of Operations, spoke to the club about the bond measure on the ballot for Arlington School District, February 13. 

 

 

There are 5,500+ students in the district.  The bond will provide safety and security for our students. The district is asking now because 2000 bonds will be paid off in 2020, interest rates are near historic lows, and building needs exist. 

 

The bond will replace Post Middle School, add 8 classrooms and technology and arts workshop to Arlington High; improve safety, security, educational opportunity, and/or efficiency at every school building in the district; and make district eligible for $8.9 million in state matching funds.

 

Secure entry ways would be installed in each building.  This would keep people out of the building that aren’t supposed to be there during the school day.  Surveillance cameras would be installed as well.

 

Rebuilding Post Middle School would be more cost effective than modernizing the current facility.  There are many upgrades needed and expanding the facility is necessary due to the addition of housing going into Arlington.

 

Taxes will go up slightly and then down in the years to come.

 

The District plans to complete Post Middle School by 2021 then begin addition to Arlington H.S. in June 2020.

 

Because as school district employees Chrys and Brian are prohibited from promoting passage while on the clock at the District, the presentation  was followed by Dave Duskin with Citizens Committee for Arlington Schools talking about passing the measure.  The Committee co-chairs are John and Kimberly Meno, are out of town, so Dave filled in for them.

 

The committee is meeting every Tuesday between now and the election at Cascade Valley Hospital conference room 4:30 PM.  Dave invited Rotarians to attend the meetings and help with promoting the measure. 

 

Social media is being used to promote the measure.  Here are some links to check out:

 

 

Please like the committee on Face Book, invite your friends to like, share posts on your page, and mark and return your ballot upon receipt.  The auditor will be mailing ballots on January 26.

 

If you would like to help the committee to solicit yes votes contact Kimberly, John or Dave.  Contact Cindy Huleatt regarding use of your reader board.  There is material that the committee would like on business counters.

 

Flash Texting:  On Thursday, February 8, at The Point Bar and Grill, 5:00 PM, Rotary Flash Texting event will be held.  An invite will be sent out to members.  This is something new with this campaign and is intended to remind people to turn in their ballots.